Architects claim they’ll soon be able to build a whole house using a 3D printer. The technology is still relatively new, but it’s already being used in the medical world and in the arts. (May 28)
THE RELATIVELY NEW SCIENCE OF 3-D PRINTING HAS ALREADY BEEN USED TO MAKE PROSTHETIC LEGS.
EVEN A HUMAN EAR.
NOW A DUTCH ARCHITECT WANTS TO BUILD AN ENTIRE HOUSE–BASICALLY BY PRINTING IT OUT.
THE DESIGN CALLS FOR THE 12-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT STRUCTURE TO TAKE THE SHAPE OF THE MOBIUS STRIP. A KIND OF ENDLESS LOOP.
SOUNDBITE: (English), Janjaap Ruijssenaars, architect and founder, Universal Architecture
“A part of this building beauty is that doesn’t have any walls so just has a floor and ceiling and you can completely look through.”
IF THE DESIGNERS WERE TO USE TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS, THEY’D HAVE TO BUILD WOODEN MOLDS AND THEN POUR CONCRETE INTO THEM.
SOUNDBITE: (English), Janjaap Ruijssenaars, architect and founder, Universal Architecture
“With the 3D printing you can actually directly print the shape that you want without first having to make the mould . That’s why it’s not only aesthetically it is an interesting technique, because you have actually density of printing that you can later see in the product.”
THIS ARTIST AND MATHEMATICIAN HAS HELPED THE ARCHITECTS REFINE THEIR DESIGN. HE’S USED 3-D PRINTING TO MAKE SCULPTUREs.
SOUNDBITE: (English), Rinus Roelofs, sculptor and mathematician
“The most important is that you can make any shape you want. Doesn’t matter how complex shape it is, you can build it.”
IF SUCCESSFUL, THE HOME WON’T COME CHEAP. From blueprint to printing… IT COULD COST AT LEAST FIVE MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD. THE DESIGNERS HOPE TO COMPLETE it NEXT YEAR.
MATT FRIEDMAN. ASSOCIATED PRESS.
